Passing of a legend

[canoe]

Opal Helton,age 97, passed away this morning. Although she hasn't been able to collect money at the Piney putin for a while, she's collecting now at some place in heaven.

[Karla]

She sure lived a long time. I never met her but bet she was a good person. Will her passing effect our putting in at the farm?

Karla

[Roger]

Never was more happier to give my money to someone than her. RIP, Opal.

[Liz Caldwell]

I had the privilege of being one of those who walked up to her porch to pay Mrs. Helton for passage to the Piney put-in. Sure have missed her these last couple of years after she moved out. Sorry to hear of her passing. She was a real friend to paddlers.

[GN YAKN]

Dale,

Keep us posted as to if they name a charity or some other cause that the ACC could send a donation to. I'm sure we can send flowers and a note to the mortuary as well. I would be happy to kick in if someone wants to take up a collection for any of the above.

Dave

[Waterman]

Sad to hear of her passing but she appeared to live a full life. She was always gracious and kind, and she loved to talk about the old days if you took the time to visit with her. The last time we spoke was in 2006 and we talked about how she used to ride (by horse or mule - cannot recall) the old postal route from Heltons to Fort Douglas. That route is now impassible. She said she hoped to be able to ride that road again some time. I guess she was 92 at the time, but I would have never guessed she was that old.

Thanks for passing along this news. John

[whudson]

The story was told of Mrs. Helton swimming Piney in flood to rescue livestock on the other side. She also related to me that those pastures at the farm were once planted totally in corn. You could fatten a lot of hogs with that much corn!
Walter

[whudson]

The story was told of Mrs. Helton swimming Piney in flood to rescue livestock on the other side. She also related to me that those pastures at the farm were once planted totally in corn. You could fatten a lot of hogs with that much corn!
Walter

[canoe]

You could probably make something else out of that much corn as well. dale

[canoe]

You could probably make something else out of that much corn as well. dale

[canoe]

Clearly there is a glitch in the system, both Walter's and my post double posted. dale

[canoe]

my story of ms Helton when i would shuttle I always made time to chat for a while she new my mom who is 92 she loved to tell me about swimming in the swimming hole where Tommy Youngs cabin is now . The only thing she could never get straight she was always just sure I was married to Tommy not Dale. I could never get that straight in her mind so i finally just gave up..She was a lovely lady. Pam

[Jim Krueger]

I have only made a handful of Upper piney runs over the years, spanning from 1987 to about 2000. On several of those trips, I too had the pleasure of stepping up on the porch and visiting with Mrs. Helton for a few minutes. On one particularily 'Blue Bird' Spring day, I couldn't help but pause in her yard to admire the variety of plants in bloom, a simple, folksy arrangement, but so rich and welcoming. So many of our ancestors led pretty hard and austere lives out in the country and if there were a few flowers and shrubs over time, it was almost always through the efforts of the lady of the house. Mrs. Helton's garden beds framed her house just right and was a pleasure to view. RIP.

Sincerely
Jim

[Wildwood]

Canoe, could you give us an address to send donations for flowers? Thanks.
Jan

[canoe]

Wildwood her funeral is tom but it is grave side but you can send flowers to Humphrey funeral home in russellville all day today a local florist that i use is Taylor's 479-968-6600 . hope that helps her funeral is in the little cementary by her house.. Hope that helps. Pam